Double hung window construction



April 23, 1957 R. E. LIFE ETAL DOUBLE HUNG wmnow CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 27, 1956 S w S 3 8 M N R 2 2 EM E F MIG m. V N M u A m .E a 2 M U 2 l D N vwvm .R 0 A H H A M N M RF T T Y, BM m l R 1 5 w 6 2 2 2 April 23, 1957 v R. E. LIFE ETAL 2,789,323

DOUBLE HUNG WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Filed April 27, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F x L -.I z

I INVENTORS.

RICHARD E. LIFE FRED C. BRENGMAN 1 4 coast: MAHoNEYaMlLLER United States Patent ice jjli fl i DOUBLE HUNG WINDOW CONSTRUCTION Application April 27, 1956, Serial No. 581,138

11 Claims. (Cl. 20--s2 Our invention relates to double hung window construction. It has to do, more particularly, with a double hung window and frame construction in which the sash are provided with a novel and effective counterbalancing means.

One of the objects of our invention is to provide a sash counterbalancing arrangement for use in a double hung window construction which is so constructed and arranged that it will facilitate removal and replacement of the sash.

Another object of our invention is to provide a counterbalance arrangement which is adaptable to double hung window constructions of the wooden type now commonly in use with a minimum of millwork.

Another object of our invention is to provide a sash counterbalance and guide arrangement for each sash of a double hung window which is formed as a unit which can be easily removed in its entirety for repair or can be replaced with a substitute unit.

Another object of our invention is to provide connecting means for connecting the counterbalance to the sash which is extremely simple and easy to operate to connect or disconnect the sash but which is of such a nature that accidental disconnection will not occur.

Still another object of our invention is to provide a sash counterbalance arrangement of the type indicated which is practically foolproof in operation.

Various other objects will be apparent.

An example of our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a window embodying our invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an inside elevational view of one of the sash guide strips which carries the sash counterbalancing means of our invention.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the strip of Figure 3 taken along line 4-4 of Figure 5.

Figure 5 is an edge elevational view of the guide strip of Figures 3 and 4.

Figure 6 is a detailed view illustrating how the pulley is mounted in the upper end of the guide strip.

Figure 7 is a detailed view illustrating how the lower end of the counterbalance spring is formed so that it can be anchored to the lower end of the guide strip.

Figure 8 is a face view of an adjustable hook and associated clip for connecting the counterbalance spring to the lower sash.

Figure 9 is an edge view of the adjustable hook and associated clip taken at right angles to that of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 8 but showing the connecting hook and clip for the upper sash.

Figure 11 is an edge view at right angles to that of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is an edge view which shows an adjustable mounting for a different type of lower sash hook.

Figure 13 is a view at right angles to that of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is an end view of a connecting clip of circular cross-section.

Our invention is applicable to double hung windows where the sash is guided in their vertical movements by guides on opposed sides of the frame, the guides at the one side being flexibly mounted by spring plunger units to facilitate removal of the sash. However, it is equally applicable to double hung windows where guide stops must be removed to permit removal of the sash. In the drawings, we have shown a window construct-ion of the former type and describe it in the following description, but it is to be understood that our invention is not limited thereto. Also, although we specify that the counterbalance is applied to both window sash, it is to be understood that it could be applied to one sash only.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, we have illustrated our invention applied to a window construction of the double hung type consisting of the upper sash 29, the lower sash 21, and the frame 22. The window frame 22 has the vertically disposed side frame members 23 and 24 between which the sash 20 and 21 are mounted for vertical sliding movement.

The sash are guided in their vertical movement by metal guide rails 25 which are provided at opposite sides of the window frame, a pair of opposed rails being provided in the proper plane for guiding each of the sash. Each guide rail 25 is of channel form outwardly turned relative to the window sash and being of a depth approximating the thickness of the window sash. Each guide rail 25 has an inwardly projecting continuous rib or tongue 26 which is adapted to be positioned in a guide channel 27 in the adjacent edge of the sash. The guide rails 25 at the right-hand side of the frame (Figures 1 and 2) are mounted on the frame member 23 by spring plunger units 23 of a suitable type which permit yielding outward movement towards the frame member 23 of these guide rails. The guide rails 25 at the left-hand side of the window are fixed to the frame side member 24 by means of :screws 29 which extend through openings 29a in the rail and into the Wood frame member 24. Thus, these rails 25 are secured in fixed position on the frame member 24 but can be removed by removing the screws 29. It will be apparent that to remove either of the window sash 20 or 21, it is merely necessary to push it to the right, causing the cooperating strip 25 at the right to move outwardly, so as to permit sufficient movement of the sash towards the right to permit its left-hand edge to be disengaged from the rib 26 of the cooperating guide rail 25 at the left-hand side of the frame.

Our counterbalance structure in the example shown is provided at the left-hand side of the Window frame. A complete guide and counterbalance unit is shown for each of the upper and lower sashes 20 and 21. Our counterbalance structure is mounted as a unit in each of the left-hand guide rails 25 and is removable therewith as a unit. One of these guide rails 25, containing the counterbalance structure, is illustrated in Figures 3, 4- and 5 and will now be described in detail.

The counterbalance arrangement comprises a tension spring so which is anchored to the lower end of the guide rail 25 at one side thereof. The anchoring is accomplished by having a vertical loop or convolution 31 of the spring 30 formed on the lower end of the spring and which is slipped over the edge of the'side wall of the metal guide channel 25, as shown in Figures 3 and 5. The form of this vertical convolution or loop 31 is shown in Figure 7. Attached to the upper end of the spring 30 is a cable or wire 32. This cable or wire 32 passes 3v upwardly over a pulley 33 mounted in a slightly ofi-center position on the upper end of the guide rail 25. The lower end of the cable 32 is connected to a connecting clip 34 which. is oi? inverted: Ushapedcross-section.

The pulley 33 is carried by means of a bracket 35 which has apair ofi inverted U'shaped tabs 36 that slip over the upper edge of the main part of the channel channel: guideraillZiS. Between these tabs 36, the bracket 35 has avertically disposed channel shape housing 37 formedtfor the'pulley 33, this portion being disposed in a notch or. slot 38 formed in the upper end of the rib or tongue 26 of the guide rail. As shown in- Figure 5, this housing137 projects inwardly slightly beyond the inner wall of the rib 126 and itslower end willserve as a stop with which the clip 34 will contact in order to prevent further upward movementof the cable 32 due to the pull exerted-by the spring-30 when thesash is not connected to the: counterbalance. unit.

Thus, our counterbalance unit is formed as a complete unit which is mounted on. the associated metal guide rail for each sash. All the parts are mounted on the rail and forma complete unit therewith. It will be noted in Figure; 3 that since the attachment of the spring 30 to the guide rail 25 is substantially to-one side laterally of the position of the pulley 33, the cable 32 will not interfere with access to the upper mounting screw 29, which will be positioned in-the upper. opening 29a of the guide rail, and thespring 30. willnot cover the lower opening 29a, the openings beingsubstantially centrally disposed.

The. manner' in: which the cable 32 and the clip 34 are preferably connected to the lower sash 21 is illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. For this purpose, a guide bracket 40 is fastened tothe upper. edge of the sash adjacentthe lefthand edge thereof, being secured directly thereto by means of wood screws 41. This bracket 49 is provided with: an. upstanding lug 42 which has a semi-circular or hook-shaped upper extremity 43. This upper extremity is provided with. a central notch or slot 44. The member 42 is frictionally engaged with the guide bracket 40 and is slidable: back: and forth therein by means of a lug 4-21; on theend opposite; thehook'43. Thus, the hook 43 may be-nrcved. towards or away from the guide rail 25 when the clip. 34 is'to lie-connected to or disconnected from thehook 43; With this arrangement to connect the cable 32.to the: lower sash 21, the sash 21 is raised upwardly, assumingthe clip 34 is in its uppermost position (Figure and the hook. 43' is in its innermost. position (Figure 9). When the hook. 43 is slightly above the level of the clip 3.4;.the member 42 is pushed outwardly by means of the lug 42b. and the hook 43 will be positioned over the clip 3.4,.the slot 44 permitting movement of the hook outwardly over the pulley housing 37. Then the sash is lowered slightly to engage the hook with the clip. The slot 44 will prevent interference of the hook 43 with the cable 32'. Thehook. 43 may be readily slipped from the clip 34 by pulling the member 42 inwardly by means of the lug 42b. 2

The cable 32 for the upper sash 2-0 is connected in the manner illustrated in Figures and ll. However, in this instance, the connecting bracket 45 is vertically disposed in thegnoove27a of the upper sash which receives thep' guide. rib 26 of the guide rail 25. The hook 46 is provided on the upper end ofthis bracket for engaging theclip'34 carried'by the cable 32'. In this instance, the hook 46 will be positioned on the clip 34 by moving the sash 20 verticallyunti'l the hook 46 is almost at the same level thencooperating clip 34, and then the sash will be rocked to the right slightly until the hook is just above theclip, at'whichtime the sash will be rocked to the left to its original position, causing the hook 46 to snap over the clip 34'. This rocking action of the sash 26 will be permitted by the flexibly mounted guide rail 25 at the right-hand side of the frame. Disconnection of the hook 46 fromzthe clip 34.-canbeeiiected in a similar manner.

In Figures: 12 and '13, we have illustrated a bracket similar to the bracket 40 but, in this instance, the bracket 42a is fixed on the upper edge of the lower sash 21a by means of the wood screws 41a. A hook 43a is formed on the upper end of the bracket and receives the clip 34 carried by the cable 32 which passes through a slot 44a in the upper end of the bracket. The hook 43a may be slipped over the clip 34 in the same manner described above with referenceto the connecting of the hook 46 to the clip 34.

The fixed books of- Figures 12 and 13, and 10 and 11, are very satisfactory for use in window constructions having the flexibly mounted guide rails at one side. The laterally adjustable hook of, Figures 8 land 9-is also suitable for use in this type of construction and is especially suitable for use in constructions where it is not possible to rock the sash laterally in connecting or disconnecting the sash from the counterbalance unit.

in Figure 14, I have'illustrated that the connecting clip 34a .can be ofcompletely circular cross-section rather than semi-circular. cross-section. The cable 32a will be anchored in an opening midway between the ends of the tubular clip.

It will be apparent from the above description that we have provided-a novel sash counterbalancing arrangement for use in a window construction of the double hung type. The counterbalance arrangement will not interfere with the removal or replacement of the sash. Our counterbalance arrangement can be provided on sash in double hung window constructions of the wooden type now commonly in use with a minimum of mill work. Our counterbalance arrangement is formed as a unit with the guide rail and the unit can be removed in its entirety for repair or replacement with a substitute unit. The connections for the counterbalance arrangement and the window sash are extremely simple yet are positive and are of such a nature that accidental disconnection will not occur. Furthermore, the. counterbalance unit is so designed that jamming of the mechanism cannot occur.

Various other advantages will be apparent.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. In a window construction of the double hung type, a pair of 7 guide rails for each sash disposed at opposite sides of the window and on which the sash is mounted for sliding movement, and a counterbalance structure carried by one of said guide rails, the latter guide rail being. of channel form, said counterbalance structure comprising a tension spring disposed within the channel of said guide rail and having its lower end anchored to the lower end of the guide rail by a loop which slips over thelower edge of the guide rail, 21. cable attached to the upper end of said spring, a guide pulley on the upper end of said rail over which said cable passes, and removable connect-ing means between the end of the cable and the said sash which the counterbalance controls and comprising a clip in the end of the cable and a hook carried by the sash with which the clip engages, saidlchannel guide rail being provided with substantially centrally disposed screw holes for mounting it on the window frame, said pulley being disposed on the upper end of the guide' rail and the lower end of the spring being anchored to the channel guide rail laterally offset relative to the position of. said pulley.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which the pulley is carried on a bracket which interfits with the upper endlof said channel guide rail.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which said clip is of a curved cross-section and is iatt-ached' transversely on theendv of. the cable, and the hook on the sash. is of invertedi U-cross-section for slipping over said clip.

4. The combination of: claim 3 in which said hook is adjustably mounted .onthe sash for sliding movement towards and from the edge thereof.

5.-T='l'1e: combination of claim 3 in which the: pulley bracket is provided with. a hou'sing projecting throughv a slot in the upper end of said channel. guide for engaging the clip on the end of the cable to limit upward movement thereof produced by said spring.

6. A Window construction of the double hung sliding sash type comprising guide rails for guiding the sash, counterbalance structure for the sash carried by one of the guide rails, the latter guide rail being of channel form, said counterbalance structure comprising a tension spring disposed within the channel of said guide rail and having its lower end anchored to the lower end of the guide rail by a loop which slips over the lower edge of the guide rail, a cable attached to the upper end of said spring, a guide pulley on the upper end of said rail over which said cable passes, and removable connecting means between the end of the cable and the said sash which the counterbalance controls, said removable connecting means for the cable and the sash comprising a clip on the end of the cable and a hook carried by the sash with which the clip engages.

7. The combination of claim 6 in which the channel guide rail is provided with substantially centrally disposed screw holes for mounting it on the window frame, said pulley being disposed on the upper end of the guide rail and the lower end of the spring being anchored to 6 l the channel guide rail at one side of the position of'the pulley.

8. The combination of claim 7 in which the pulley is carried on a bracket which interfits with the upper end of said channel guide rail.

9. The combination of claim 8 in which said clip is of arcuate cross-section and is attached transversely on the end of the cable, and the hook on the sash is of inverted U-cross-section for slipping over said clip.

10. The combination of claim 9 in Which said hook is adjustably mounted on the sash for sliding movement towards and from the cdgethereof.

11. The combination of claim 9 in which the pulley bracket is provided with a housing projecting through a slot in the upper end of said channel guide for engaging the clip on the end of the cable to limit upward movement thereof produced by said spring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 943,014 Greear et a1 Dec. 14, 1909 2,249,132 Haslam July 15, 1941 2,715,747 Prosser et a1 Aug. 23, 1955 

